Alan Richard Selser Sr.

1943 - 2025

In the early morning hours of Sunday October 19, 2025, Alan Selser Sr. passed away peacefully at his home in Salisbury, MD. He had been ill for quite some time and was cared for by his family and the compassionate nurses and aides at Coastal Hospice. His earthly journey began on May 22, 1943, at Hahnemann Hospital in Philadelphia, PA. He was the son of Grace Urian Selser and Richard Albert Selser. During his 82 years, he left an indelible mark on anyone who was fortunate enough to know him.

Most of his early life was spent in Pennsylvania. He graduated from Lower Moreland High School in Huntington Valley PA, in 1961. After high school he enrolled at Drexel University in Philadelphia, PA. He entered the co-operative program with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) through Drexel University from 1962 through 1965. He earned a BA in electrical engineering, graduating from Drexel University in 1966 and beginning work at NASA as an electrical engineer in the Radar Systems Section. He spent his entire career at the NASA Flight Facility in Wallops Island, Virginia. His work took him to Russia several times to work on shared projects. He met many people during his work at NASA who became life-long friends. His good friend and office mate has many stories to tell about Alan. A colleague and neighbor recalled that Alan consistently demonstrated a willingness to mentor new NASA employees and generously shared his expertise with them.

Raised Episcopalian he was a member of St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Philadelphia and sang in the men and boys' choir at St. Mark's. As a young man he traveled to Center City Philadelphia by train for choir rehearsal and services. After moving to Maryland, he attended both St. Peter's Episcopal church, St. Mary's Pocomoke, and St. Alban's Salisbury. He also attended Lynnhaven Baptist Church (Pocomoke) where he directed the choir; Allen Memorial Baptist Church where he sang in the choir and played saxophone in an instrumental ensemble; Emmanuel Baptist Church where he was the music director; and Asbury United Methodist Church where he sang in the choir, arranged music for and conducted the orchestra and woodwind ensemble and also played clarinet in the orchestra and ensemble. While at St. Alban's he sang in the choir, conducted and arranged music for the woodwind ensemble; chaired the property committee, the music and liturgy committee, was a member of the finance committee, served as vestry senior warden and junior warden, and participated in the planning committee for building the new Parish Hall.

Other musical activities included the Salisbury Choral Society (president), Salisbury Chorale, and the New Community Singers. Over the years he acquired a vast music collection of various genres of music. He was fortunate to work with some of the most revered organists and music directors in Salisbury: Dr. Ray H. Zeigler, Taylor Harvey, John Holland, Dr. Duane Karna, Veronica Tomanek, Dr. Michael Stefenak, Virginia Russell, Phyllis Oldham, David Lawson, Dr. Bill Folger, and others.

Besides his avocation of music, Alan was also an avid sports fan, and he both watched and participated in several types of sports. He was especially a fan of the Philadelphia Eagles and Philadelphia Phillies as well as the Baltimore Ravens and the Washington Commanders whom he still referred to as the Washington Redskins.

Among his survivors are his wife of thirty three years Margaret A. (Peggy) Kozich Selser, son Alan R. Selser Jr., daughter-in-law Margaret Rose Jackson Selser, grandchildren Nicholas, Matthew and Ryan Selser, nephew William Schmolke, niece Christine Schmolke Basile, niece Amanda Bates, and the mother of his children Marriam Vaughn (Georgia).

He was pre-deceased by his parents, son Jeffrey Scott Selser, sister Ellen Selser Schmolke Bates, brother-in-law William Schmolke, and Charles E. and M. Ellen Kozich, his wife's parents.

A memorial service will be held on November 1, 2025, at 2:00 in the afternoon at Holloway Funeral Home, 501 Snow Hill Road, Salisbury, MD with a visitation with family one hour prior to the service. The Officiant for the memorial service will be The Rev. Laura M. Dorsey.

Inurnment will be at Wicomico Memorial Park in Salisbury at a later date.

Flowers are welcomed, however, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Alban's Episcopal Church, 302 St. Alban's Drive Salisbury, MD 21804, or to the American Heart Association.